ERIC ED466284: Kids Count in Nebraska: 2000 Report.

39 Pages·2000·1.5 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 466 284 PS 030 408
Johnston, Janet M.
AUTHOR
Kids Count in Nebraska: 2000 Report.
TITLE
Voices for Children in Nebraska, Omaha.
INSTITUTION
Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, MD.
SPONS AGENCY
PUB DATE
2000-00-00
41p.; For 1999 report, see ED 445 787.
NOTE
AVAILABLE FROM Voices for Children in Nebraska, 7521 Main Street, Suite
103, Omaha, NE 68127 ($10). Tel: [phone]; Fax:
402-597-2705; Web site: http://www.voicesforchildren.com.
Descriptive
Numerical/Quantitative Data (110)
PUB TYPE -- Reports
(141)
EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.
Adoption; Birth Rate; Birth Weight; Child Abuse; Child Care;
DESCRIPTORS
Child Health; Child Neglect; Child Support; Child Welfare;
*Children; *Counties; Demography; Divorce; Dropout Rate;
Early Childhood Education; Early Parenthood; Economic
Status; Elementary Secondary Education; Family (Sociological
Unit); Family Violence; Foster Care; Graduation Rate; High
School Graduates; Infant Mortality; Juvenile Justice; Lead
Poisoning; Lunch Programs; Mental Health Programs;
Nutrition; One Parent Family; Prenatal Care; *Social
Indicators; Special Education; State Surveys; Statistical
Surveys; Substance Abuse; Tables (Data); *Trend Analysis;
Violence; Welfare Services; *Well Being; Youth Problems
Access to Health Care; Child Mortality; *Indicators;
IDENTIFIERS
*Nebraska; Out of Home Care; Project Head Start; Risk Taking
Behavior; Vaccination
ABSTRACT
This Kids Count report examines statewide trends and county
data on the well-being of Nebraska's children. Section 1 contains a
commentary on juvenile justice in Nebraska. Section 2, the bulk of this
statistical report, presents findings on indicators of well-being in eight
(1) child abuse and neglect/domestic violence (investigated and
areas:
substantiated cases, reporting, types of abuse, child abuse fatalities in
1999, domestic violence shelters, how domestic violence affects children);
(2) early childhood care and education (early childhood development and
programs, child care facilities and subsidies, research);
(3) economic
well-being (TANF, earned income tax credit, single parent families, divorce
and child support);
(4) education (high school graduates, school dropouts,
expelled students, special education); (5) physical and behavioral health
(births, prenatal care, low birth weight, births to teens, out-of-wedlock
births, immunizations, infant mortality, child deaths, access to health care,
blood lead levels, mental health and substance abuse treatment, regional
centers, community-based services, youth risk behavior survey);
(6) juvenile
justice (juvenile arrests, probation, youth rehabilitation and treatment
centers, victims of rape, adult jail and parole for juveniles);
(7) nutrition
(food stamps, USDA nutrition programs); and (8) out-of-home care and adoption
(out-of-home care, state foster care review board, children in out-of-home
care, licensed and approved foster homes, lack of foster care homes, multiple
placements, race and ethnicity, adoption services). Section 3 presents county
data notes. Section 4 presents specific county data in table form. Sections 5
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the ori inal document.
through 7 present information concerning methodology, data sources,
definitions, references, and Kids Count Team members.
(SD)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
00
N
C,
(21
r
PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND
DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS
BEEN GRANTED BY
mocre_,
Haktily_a_i_g5h
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and
Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
This document has been reproduced
as
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
received from the person or organization
1
originating it
Minor changes have been made
to
improve reproduction quality
Points of view or opinions stated
in this
document do not necessarily represent
official OERI position or policy
2000
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
A Pub
'01/coices for Cis!'
4
"Dressing Up"
Nathan, 3
Michelle, 4 Ryan, 8
is a national and state-by-state effort sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to track the sta-
Kids Count
tus of children in the United States utilizing the best available data. Key indicators measure the education,
social, economic and physical well-being of children.
is a children's data and policy project of Voices for Children in Nebraska. An impor-
Kids Count in Nebraska
tant component of this project is the Technical Team of advisors. The Kids Count Technical Team is comprised
of data representatives from the numerous agencies in Nebraska which maintain important information about
child well-being. This team not only provides us with information from their databases but advises us on the
positioning of their data in relation to other fields of data as well. We could not produce this report without
their interest and cooperation and the support of their agencies. Kids Count in Nebraska, sponsored by The
Annie E. Casey Foundation, began in 1993. This is the projects eighth report. Additional funding for this
report comes from Share Our Strength (S.O.S).
photographs featured are all Nebraska children. Several issues and programs may be discussed in
Kids Count
a particular section. Children featured in each section represent elements of that section but may not be direct-
ly involved with all programs or issues discussed therein.
Additional copies of the 2000 Kids Count in Nebraska report as well as 1993, 1994, 1995,
1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 reports, are available for $10.00 from:
Voices for Children in Nebraska
7521 Main Street, Suite 103
Omaha, NE 68127
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.voicesforchildren.com
Portions of this report may be reproduced without prior permission, provided the source is cited as:
(Copyright) 2000 Kids Count in Nebraska
Credits:
"Family"
Crystal 14, Albert 6, Selena 3, James, 19 months
Cover Photo:
Janet M. Johnston, MSW
Author:
Research Coordinator
Janet M. Johnston
Photography:
Voices for Children in Nebraska
3
Christy Reed, Tilford Printing
Design:
Kids Count in Nebraska: 200
Commentary '00
Child Deaths
I.
2
Access to Health Care
Youthful offenders in our Juvenile Justice System:
Blood Lead Levels
Can we better serve them elsewhere?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment
Jails or Inadequate Mental Health Facilities?
Regional Centers
Why Is This a Concern For Nebraska?
Community-Based Services
What Should Be Done In Nebraska?
Youth Risk Behavior Survey
New Investments Needed
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Beyond a Moral Obligation:
Tobacco Use
Financial and Public Safety Ramifications
Motor Vehicle Crashes
IL Indicators of Child Well-Being
Teen Sexual Behavior
Obesity Dieting and Eating Disorders
Child Abuse and Neglect/ Domestic Violence ....4
Investigated and Substantiated Cases
Juvenile Justice
17
It's the Law!
Juvenile Arrests
Types of Abuse
Probation
Child Abuse Fatalities In 1999
Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers (YRTC)
Domestic Violence Shelters
Victims of Rape
How Domestic Violence Affects Children
Adult Jail and Parole for Juveniles
Early Childhood Care and Education
6
Nutrition
20
Early Childhood Development
Food Stamps
Early Childhood Development Programs
USDA Nutrition Programs
Head Start and Early Head Start
School Lunch
State Early Childhood Projects
School Breakfast
Even Start Family Literacy Programs
Summer Food Service
Early Childhood Special Education and Early
Child and Adult Care Food Program
Intervention Programs
Commodity Distribution Program
Child Care Facilities and Subsidies
Child and Adult Care Food Program
What Research Tells Us
Commodity Supplemental Foods Program (CFSP)
WIC
Economic Well-Being
8
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Out-of-Home Care and Adoption
22
Earned Income Tax Credit
Out-of-Home Care
Single Parent Families
State Foster Care Review Board
Divorce and Child Support
How Many Children are in Out-of-Home Care?
Licensed and Approved Foster Homes
Education
10
Lack of Foster Care Homes
High School Graduates
Multiple Placements
School Dropouts
Race and Ethnicity
Expelled Students
Adoption Services
Special Education
III. County Data Notes
25
Health - Physical and Behavioral
12
Birth
County Data
26
IV.
Prenatal Care
Low Birth Weight
Methodology, Data Sources, and Definitions 30
V.
Births to Teens
-.-
4
VI. References
Out-of-Wedlock Births
32
Immunizations
VII. Kids Count Team Members
33
Infant Mortality
2000
in Nebraska:
Count
/Olds
55% of youth in the juvenile justice system have
Youthful Offenders In Our Juvenile
symptoms associated with clinical depression; half
Justice System: Can We Better Serve
have Conduct Disorders; up to 45% have Attention-
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Them Elsewhere?
1% to 6% have Schizophrenia and other psychotic
The Annual Kids Count Report provides an overview of how
disorders, a rate significantly higher than that of the
/
Nebraska's children are faring. The report is divided into
general population.
issue areas such as Child Abuse, Juvenile Justice and
Behavioral and Physical Health. While the data and discus-
Up to 19% of youth involved in the juvenile justice sys-
sion can be divided into those segments, we know that the
tem may be suicidal.
children are not so easily segmented. Children often experi-
ence various concerns throughout childhood such as moving
To compound the problem, at least half of the youth suffering
from economic struggles to health deficits and on to violent
from mental illnesses also have substance abuse disorders.
behaviors. In fact, children are often experiencing multiple
According to the CJJ Report, the use of substances may be an
and overlapping challenges simultaneously.
attempt by youth to self-medicate untreated mental illness.
The 1999 Kids Count Report identified significant connect-
The dedicated individuals who work with juvenile offenders
edness between children whO grow up as victims in violent
know well the constant frustration felt by both the staff and
households and those who later become abusers. This year,
the adolescent, due to the inability of the adolescent to make
we're reminded of another unfortunate connection between
positive and consistent behavioral changes. Youth often make
children who experience mental illness and those who are
honest and aggressive attempts to control their own behavior,
arrested and incarcerated. Mental health disorders are star-
but find themselves in and out of detention facilities through-
tlingly high among our general youth population, with an
out their young lives. Although the majority of youth in
estimated 20% of children and adolescents experiencing
detention facilities have not committed violent crimes, they
some kind of mental health problem during childhood.
remain in these facilities because more suitable placements
Unfortunately, mental health services are not so readily avail-
are scarce or-do not exist at all. Due to the lack of appropri-
able and accessible and untreated mental illness often leads to
ate mental health diagnosis and treatment, these same indi-
behaviors that result in arrest and incarceration.
viduals are likely to be discovered serving recurring jail sen-
tences as adults.
Recently, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) released
their 2000 Annual Report, Handle with Care: Serving the
Several studies identify stereotypes'that have always existed
Mental Health Needs of Young Offenders, by authors John
pigeonholing juvenile offenders as children lacking in morals,
Hubner and Jill Wolfson. This report unveils startling facts
discipline, and/or respect for adults and property. There is
about the high percent of youth in the juvenile justice system
strong evidence that this is not always the case. In the CJJ
who have a diagnosable mental health disorder, (50-75%).
Report, Michael Faenza, president and CEO of the National
Hubner and Wolfson describe the troubled childhood of 15-
Mental Health Association, states "many of the children and
year -old Thomas, who suffered from Bipolar Disorder and
adolescents in the nation's juvenile justice system have men-
ended up in the Juvenile Justice System due to his difficult
tal and emotional health problems that remain untreated, even
behaviors. They also cite.numerous statistics revealing thou-
though they contribute to the youth's delinquency."
sands of children like Thomas in the juvenile justice system.
In Nebraska, a significant proportion of youth admitted to the
Jails Or Inadequate Mental Health Facilities?
youth rehabilitation centers have identifiable mental health and
According to the CJJ 2000 Annual Report, recent studies
substance abuse treatment needs. In the Juvenile Services
show nationally:
Master Plan, completed in 1999, a review of female youth
residing at YRTC-Geneva revealed that 63% displayed mild
73% of youth in juvenile facilities reported mental health
to moderate mental health symptoms and 84% had co-occur-
problems during screening; 57% had previously received
ring mental health and substance abuse issues. In a sampling
mental health treatment.
of 50 male youth residing at YRTC-Kearney, reviewed during
5
2
Kids Count in Nebraska: 2000
90% showed indications of mild to mod-
Beyond a Moral Obligation -
the same time period, \ \90%
i
Financial and Public Safety RamificatiOn
and 76% were dually diagnosed
erate mental health symptoms
with mental health and substance abuse problems.
(An exerpt from the Coalition for Juvenile Justich000Antniaikeliart)
The Director of the Kearney YRTC echoes the
Providing youth with humane and effective mentalihealth sup-
/
findngs of the CJJ Report with his concerns
i
port - a full continuum of care, including prevention, interven-
that, "too many of our youth have come to
is clearly an ethical and moral
tion, treatment and after-care
the YRTC from mental health and substance
It also makes strong financial and public safety
imperative.
abuse treatment facilities that were unable
sense. Taking: care of youth is taking care of society.
to manage their behavior enough to keep
I
them in the treatment program."
ericans spend between $10' and $15 billion on
Every year,
Am!
the juvenile justice system, according to an American Youth
!"/
Is Thisi a Concern For Nebraska?
Policy Forum publication. Unfortunately', the majority of our
1 'Why
i
west states in the
Nebraska ranks as one of the lo
dollars do not go towards the least costly, most effective front-
end prevention, intervention and treatment services.
country for state ;mental healtli expenditures.
Unfortunately,/when mental- illness is not
By far the vast majority of our dollars are spent on the most
correctly diagnosed or goes untreated, the
costly, least effective "solution" to delinquency and Mental ill-
adolescents /who are involved with, the
-
ness, namely, incarceration in traditional, punishment-oriented
Ijuvenile justice system often become'
.
large-scale facilities that have "all too often failed \to yield the
justice
adults involved -with' the cri m
ustice
successful results we desire," Says Shay Bilchik, former
system.
administrator of the OJJDP.
Yet, this is where we continue to sink our tax dollars.
What Should Be Done In
Nebraska?
According to Mental Health: A:Report from the Surgeon
General, roughly two-thirds of all dollars now spent on
The CJJ Annual Report recommepds-preVerition
and early intervention as key to resolving these juVenile justice
juvenile justice go to housing delinquent and mentally ill
community-biased, coordi-
youth' in costly lock-ups that provide little or no mental
It is necessary to increase
issues.
health programming like the California Youth Authority
( nated and cross-system programming to successfi.illy treat ado-
costs taxpayers $37,000 a year per youth. That is more
lescents who are involved 'with( the juvenile-justice system or
are likely to become offenders. Unfortunately, Nebraska has
than-room, board and tuition at Stanford University.
been reluctant to provide adequate funding for these necessary
Roughly one-half of all mental health dollars for minors
programs.
%pay for inpatient hospitalization, and another 25 percent is
New Investments Needed
-ispent to place youth into residential facilities and group
We hope this will change as the next biennium budget process
homes. The cost of Thomas' ineffective therapeutic lock-
begins. Nebraska needs to invest significantly in a full array
up? $7,000 a month, or $84,000 a year.
of mental health services before children enter the juvenile jus-
Such staggering price tags might be more understandable if the
tice system and while they are being served in that system.
administrators could provide data that proves they get positive
Prevention and early intervention services may provide treat-
results. But here, the law of commerce perversely works in
ment that will deter the youth from criminal activity, reducing
reverse. You don't get what you pay for.
Nebraska's reliance on the juvenile justice system. Two of
Nebraska's six mental health regions of the state have signifi-
According to the U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, 75 per-
cant grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
cent of youth treated in costly traditional residential mental
Administration (SAMHSA) to provide wrap-around services
health treatment centers were either readmitted to a mental
to children and families with mental health needs. In the
health facility or incarcerated within seven years of release.
Lancaster County area, a special emphasis is also placed on
families with children in the juvenile justice system. The time
And virtually every study examining recidivism among youth
is right for lawmakers to identify a significant source of fund-
sentenced to juvenile training schools in the past three decades
ing (perhaps a combination of tobacco settlement funds, gen-
has found that at least 50 to 70 percent of offenders were rear-
eral funds and funds earmarked-from a use-tax) to create an
within one or two years after release, according to an
appropriate continuum of care.
American Youth Policy Forum report.
Kids Count in Nebraska 2000
am aura HoolloWDomestk Memo
Ages of Children in Substantiated
Investigated anal Substantiatea Cases
Cases of Child Abuse and/or
According to the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS), there were 13,857 calls alleging child abuse and neg-
Neglect for 1999
lect received by HHS. Of the calls received by HHS, 8,455
were investigated in calendar year 1999. It is important to note
1500
that not all calls reporting child abuse and neglect are investi-
1,150
11
gated because the information reported does not always meet
918
1000
the legal criteria warranting an investigation. To further com-
J
709
plicate analysis, research shows that over half of actual cases
545
of abuse go unreported.
Of the 8,455 investigated reports,
500
2,183 were substantiated involving 3,472 Nebraska children.
This is a 17.7% decrease in the total number of involved chil-
59
dren over calendar year 1998 averaging 1.6 children per case in
0
1999.
This 17.7% reduction appears to be due to a difference
9-12 13-16
0-4
5-8
17+
in how data is captured by HHS' new computer system, N-
Source: HHSS
ages
FOCUS/CWIS. Previously the computer system recorded all
* 91 cases did not have victim's age identified
children in the household as victims when there was only sub-
stantiation for one child. Although studies show that children
who witness violence can have the same responses and behav-
Statistically substantiated cases are more likely to involve
iors as children who have been abused directly, only those chil-
young children: an estimated 2,068 or 59.5% of the substanti-
dren whose abuse has been officially substantiated are now
ated cases involved children ages 0-8. This does not necessar-
recorded in the computer system as an abuse statistic. HHS
ily mean that children ages 8 and under are more likely to be
initiated this change in reporting to ensure that perpetrators
It is possible that the abuse, especially neglect, of
abused.
who have maltreated one child are not identified as having
younger children is more evident and more likely to be report-
maltreated others if, in fact, they have not.
Nebraska has a
ed. Based on Health and Human Services estimates approxi-
26% substantiation rate which is comparable to the 1998
mately 27.6% of substantiated cases involve children ages 0-3.
National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System "substantiat-
Out of the 3,472 children involved in substantiated cases of
ed" or "indicated" rate of 29.2%.
abuse and neglect 727 or 20.9% were age 2 or under. In 1999
there were 1,774 female children and 1,672 male children
involved in substantiated cases.
Hospital discharge records
show males as the most likely perpetrator of physical abuse
resulting in the need for medical assistance. According to the
hospital records, the male abuser is most likely the spouse or
partner of the child's mother.
Investigated and Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse
and/or Neglect, 1989-1999
°saes Inveatigtateci
and Su bate ntlated
10,000
8,455
8,439
13,140
93
7,
7
8,000
8
7, 92
6 000
3, 40
4,000
2,3 6
2,1
2,000
Cases Investigated
Cases Substantiated
Source. HHSS
Note: There may be more than one child Involved In each Immatigatedfaubetantletect case.
Count
Nebraska:
Kids
2000
14
tense
lect/Domostic
and
Abuse
Nog
MOM
How Domestic Violence Affects Children
It's the Law!
Nebraska's network of domestic violence/sexual assault
Citizens who suspect or have witnessed child abuse or
programs collected information on a total of 6,705
neglect are required by Nebraska law to report the incident
Nebraska children living in homes where domestic vio-
to their local law enforcement agencies or to Child
lence occurred. The majority, 79% or 5,328, of these chil-
Protective Services.
dren witnessed the violence and 10% or 672 were physi-
Although many child abuse reporters, 21.2%, prefer to
Children who witness violence in their
cally harmed.
remain anonymous, law enforcement/legal agencies are
homes are six times more likely to commit suicide, are 24
the most frequent identified reporters, 19.2%, and schools
times more likely to commit sexual assault crimes, and
are second, 11.7%. It is important to note only 1.4% of all
have a 50% greater chance of abusing drugs and/or alco-
reports come from child victims themselves. There are
Voices for Children, the Domestic Violence and
hol.'
several possible reasons why children do not report their
Sexual Assault Coalition, and HHS have formed a coali-
abuse. Children have strong loyalties to their parent. They
tion: The goal of this collaboration is to better identify and
fear the possible consequences for their parents and/or the
address the intersection between domestic violence and
perpetrator and themselves and often the perpetrator has
child abuse.
threatened them resulting in fear of more serious abuse if
they tell.
Types of Abuse
The three main classifications for child abuse are neglect,
physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Children can experience
V
more than one classification of abuse and therefore Health
and Human Services records all types of abuse that apply
QUOTES FROM NEBRASKA 6111 GRADERS
to each individual child's situation. Neglect has consis-
tently been found to be the most commonly substantiated
"Children need to be protected in all ways because
we are the future and the laws need to preserve the
form of child maltreatment. A caregiver is found guilty of
future."
neglect if they have not provided emotionally, physically,
and/or medically for a child. Infants and children who are
"I think that kids are treated unfairly everyday and 1
labeled failure to thrive are often the result of neglect.
think it should stop! Something must be done now
or it will be harder later. We must take an active
Child Abuse Fatalities in 1999
role."
There were 0 child abuse fatalities recorded to Nebraska
A total of 13 deaths of
children recorded in
"There shouldn't be abuse and I think it should be a big-
1999.
ger law. Abuse can kill you, scare you, and make you
Nebraska children have been attributed to child abuse
keep secrets. Abuse is scary and I never want to be
from 1990-1999.
abused myself. Abuse laws should be there not only for
children and babies; you have to think about the abuse
Domestic Violence Shelters
of adults, pets, and the abuse of forest and the environ-
There are 22 adult domestic violence/sexual assault pro-
ment. Abuse happens everyday and it really should
grams in Nebraska's network of Domestic Violence
come to an end."
Sexual Assault Programs. From July 1, 1998 through June
Source: Comments from Nebraska sixth graders:
30, 1999 these programs provided information and sup-
The Kid's Rights Survey given by the United States
port to13,594 adults, 815 adolescents and 5,685 children.
Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Over 4,000 women and children, 1,821 adults and 2,212
adolescents/children, were provided shelter. A total of
100,029 meals were provided to adults and children from
July 1, 1998 to June 31, 1999. The network's crisis line
received 110,174 calls, 101,597 domestic violence and
8,577 sexual assault, during June 1998 - July 1999.
8
If you need to report an incident of child abuse/neglect please call Child Protective Services 1-800-652-1999.
5
N000
Nobra9ka.
Count
Kids
ood
ffciffly DAM
catgoo
ore mica'
Ed
Early Childhood Development
507 children (duplicated count) and are administered through
The quality of early childhood care and education programs
local schools. They include two serving parenting teens, two
has been found to have a direct effect on the way children func-
offering primarily parent education, five providing part day
tion throughout their lives.
"The quality of interactions that
services, and one full working day program. All center-based
parents and caregivers have with young children dramatically
programs are required to be accredited. Evaluation of the
impacts early brain and language development. "i These inter-
projects has been ongoing since they began in 1992. Funding
actions influence physical, emotional and mental development
for the programs has not been increased since 1996.
in children, basically all aspects of life are affected.
Even Start Family Literacy Programs
Early Childhood Development Programs in
Nebraska
There are seven federally funded Even Start Literacy programs
currently funded in Nebraska, providing services to 220 fami-
Head Start and Early Head Start
lies. These programs are an effort to break the cycle of pover-
Federally funded Head Start programs provide comprehensive
ty and illiteracy and improve the educational opportunities of
health, education, and nutrition services to low income fami-
low-income families through integration of early childhood
lies with infants and young children prenatally to
age 5. The
education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parent-
program focuses on cognitive, social, and emotional develop-
ing education.
ment in preparation for school and provides support to families.
Early Childhood Special Education and Early
Research shows that children who participate in Head Start
Intervention Programs
perform better in school and eventually in employment than
In 1999, Early Childhood Special Education and Early
those children of similar circumstances who are not Head Start
Intervention programs served 3,071 children ages 0 through
participants. Head Start Programs are not available in 21 of the
age 5 who have verified disabilities. These children are pro-
93 Nebraska counties.
vided services through their local school districts from birth to
age 3 in a collaboration between Health and Human Services
Approximately 8,202 of children ages 3 and 4 live below the
and Education.
poverty line in Nebraska according to the Head Start Regional
Office.
There is Head Start funding available to meet the
needs of less than half of the eligible 3 and 4 year old children
in Nebraska. National Head Start expenditures for 1999 totaled
How many of Nebraska s 8,186 eligible
4.6 billion. Nebraska's Head Start expenditures totaled
$25,437,904 in 1999, the majority of the funds, $21,000,000,
3-and 4-year-old children are
were federal funds while state general funds covered the bal-
ance. Migrant Head Start used $616,940 in funds, which is not
enrolled in Head Start programs for 1991.1999?
counted in the Nebraska Head Start funds, and served 84 children.
Head Start served a total of 3,815 children ages 3 and 4 in
1999, a slight decrease from the previous year. Ten percent of
Head Start enrollment is reserved for children with disabilities.
8,000
Estimated income eligible, based on the
Five Head Start Programs also recieved additional child
care
1990 Census. (8,202)
funds as grants to offer full day services. In response to impor-
w
tant information about brain growth in infants and young chil-
6,000
dren the Head Start Bureau also funds Early Head Start
2
Programs. In 1999, there were eight Early Head Start grants in
U
Nebraska serving 638 pregnant women and/or children ages 0
0
3,815
4,000
3,700
3,680
to 3.
,483
2,820
E
3
State Early Childhood Projects
z
2,000
Ten communities combine existing resources with small state
grants of $50,000 each to offer integrated child development
programs. These Early Childhood Projects currently serve
999
9
Source: Region VII Administration for Children and Families
l6
Count
Nebraska:
2000
/Olds